SmartThings Community

FAQ: List of devices with dry contact input from external sources

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#1

Hi,

I’d like to document on this forum a list of devices which have the ability to accept input from other devices.

I personally am thinking of buying a Motion sensor called a Dakota which can output when it detects motion via Dry Contacts.

I know of some already to start us off:

Ecolink Z-Wave Garage Door Tilt Sensor

Schlage Rs100hc Z-wave Door & Window Sensor

Ford Taurus Homelink Visor Integration
Boat Alarm System
ADT Door Sensor Repurposing
#2

Do you mean that have dry contacts? Because “input from external sources” could mean a lot of different things.

If you just mean have dry contacts, then one model of the Fibaro door sensor is popular for this purpose in the UK.

https://www.vesternet.com/knowledgebase/technical/kb-85/

And there are two devices available in both the US and the UK which are made specifically for this purpose:

Fortrezz Mimolite

Aeotec Dry Contact Sensor, although that one is getting hard to find

The Nexia doorbell sensor although made specifically for doorbells, is also designed for this purpose, but is only available on the US frequency.

Fibaro also makes a “universal sensor” for this purpose, but it is only available in the UK zwave frequency:

Other kinds of input

On the other hand, if you mean to include devices that can handle an external probe, such as for temperature or moisture, there are several but they are very different from the ones with dry contacts.

The Fibaro. RGBW Controller can accept input from four different analog sensors, and is popular for greenhouse operations.

There are other devices which can accept input from a single probe sensor, most commonly temperature. But before I start listing those, I wasn’t sure if that was what you were interested in. :sunglasses:

#3

Thanks for the post! I had the same issue sourcing the Aerotec one.

AHH I never thought this through - one thing i needed was for the sensor to be simply binary. i.e. if I put my output from my traditional motion sensor into a temperature dry contact sensor, it wouldn’t give me a 1 or a 0 it’d give me nonsense.

#4

That’s why the Mimolite exists, but also why it’s more expensive. You can set it to report for a given range.

#5

Also, technically every Z wave device can “accept input from external sources,” that’s what the radio communications are. So I do think you need to make your topic title more specific.

#6

ah OK ! Does sound a nice device. I also think in the example use case I can see why people have chosen to hack a binary sensor like a door sensor as (I’m assuming) they’re cheaper

#7

Yes, price is the main reason.

#8

@JDRoberts is this one? https://www.reddit.com/r/homeautomation/comments/9l2skk/how_to_automate_any_gate_opener_for_50_including/

(Jason) #9

I use these with my Dakota DCMA-2500: Monoprice Z-Wave Plus Door/Window Sensor,

You’ll need a device handler to turn on the external contacts,


OR

#10

thanks @xdreamwalker! does it open up to have dry contact input? or did you have to hack the hardware in some way?

I’m in the UK but surprisingly they aren’t too expensive to import from an Amazon.com marketplace seller! over 4 x more than I pay for Xiaomi door sensors, but that’s not the point, they can potentially save me buying the more expensive dry contact bridges like the Mimolite

(Jason) #11

There are screw terminals inside for the external contact. You will need to make a hole in the case for wires. There is a thread around here somewhere that has more details.

Wha I don’t know is if they make a UK frequency version.

#12

For the UK, look at the Fibaro Sensor options. They are available on the UK zwave frequency but not on the US frequency. They are quite popular in the community.

Here’s an example using the door sensor:

And here’s their “universal sensor” which is designed for the purpose.

#13

thanks, yes indeed the Fibaro Universal one looks to be the right match for me.

#14

Zwave has different frequencies for the US and the UK so you have to get one which exactly matches the frequency of your hub.

Zigbee, such as the Xioami sensors use, is the same in both regions, you just have to match the profile to one that smartthings uses.

#15

Hi @JDRoberts was wondering if you could help advise on something.

I got the Universal Sensor and i’m having a real struggle getting it’s output into SmartThings. It’s a fairly complex device for my needs, do you think i’d have a simpler task with the Fibaro Door Sensor? (it’s annoyingly £10 more but I’m willing to pay that for simplicity of configuration)

EDIT: I’ve just seen that the available Fibaro door sensor is now the v2, whereas all posts I can find on this forum are for the v1, do you have any idea if the v2 has dry contacts?

#16

Yes, most people find the contact sensor easier to work with.

I believe @RobinWinbourne has used some Fibaro sensors in this manner, he may have more to add.

(Alwas) #17

I believe the v2 doesn’t have dry contacts.

#18

thanks Alwas! Saved me buying another expensive device!

Really struggling to find a basic contact sensor with dry contacts for use with my GuardLink driveway alarm in the UK - has anyone got any more suggestions for me please?

#19

Vesternet recommended me the Vision as it apparently has dry contact inputs too…think I’ll just swoop for that and give it a go

#20

Don’t suppose you know if this vision device has dry contacts? Vision ZG8101EU Z-Wave Vision Garage Door Sensor: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00GUK183C/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_RdKrCbZCXDQBF